Abuse and harassment

Even in countries with extremely liberal free speech law there are restrictions on conduct

London-based supporters of the PTI continue to show full-throated commitment to embarrassing themselves and the country they claim to care so much about, directing unprintable language at a former PML-N parliamentarian and her teenage son in the middle of the street.

Hina Parvez Butt, a former Punjab MPA who actively represents the party on TV talk shows and social media, was vacationing in the British capital when several incidents that may cross the line for verbal abuse and harassment occurred. Several social media commentators have encouraged her to pursue a police case, since it is unlikely that the language used by the people doing their parents proud by sharing footage of themselves bullying a woman and child could be described as reasonable. Even in countries with extremely liberal free speech laws, while criticism and protest are completely legal, there are still restrictions on conduct, which can vary depending on the subject matter or target of the protest. Butt and her son did not appear to engage with the protesters, even when someone threw a plastic bottle at her and others continued speaking with the eloquence of howling jackals. But instead of awakening some sense of shame in the protesters, the victims’ composure fed into their depravity.

To her credit, former PTI leader Shireen Mazari was among the first prominent leaders to condemn the incident. Mazari, a frequent target of abuse from opposition party supporters and even some leaders, defended the right to protest but was unequivocal in her criticism of the language and tactics used. She said, “Criticism is acceptable but abuse of women is always unacceptable.” Unfortunately, none of the party’s remaining top leaders found it worth their while to condemn, or even disassociate, from the comments, even though at least one of the swearing protesters was waving a PTI flag.

Abuse of this sort must be condemned without any qualification. Political preferences are no excuse for ignoring basic human decency.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2023.

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